History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 35

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 35

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Recognizing the imminence of war, the necessity of a thorough military organization followed, and Congress at once took measures for embodying the troops of the provinees into a continental army.

On the 15th of June they unanimously elected George Wash-

ington commander-in-chief of the American forees-a choice which all subsequent time has justified as one of singular wisdom and good fortune.

The Virginia Convention took prompt and vigorous measures for recruiting and equipping her quota of troops. By the mid- dle of July, two regiments were raised and provision made for seven more. The nine regiments were soon equipped and " the Virginia line," thenee forward throughout the war, were engaged in many sanguinary fields, and maintained an honored and honorable fame. Among other acts of the Assembly was one passed July 17, 1775, " for the better protection of the in- habitants on the frontiers of this Colony."

Be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be appointed and raised, exclusive of the regiments before mentioned, two companies, consisting each of one captain, three lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, two drummers and two fifers, and one hundred men rank and file, to be stationed at Pittsburgh ; also one other company, consisting of a lieutenant and twenty-five privates, to be stationed at " Fort Fincastle," at the mouth of Wheeling creek, etc.

During this time the inhabitants of the frontier were com- paritively free from molestation by the Indians, and were not only deeply interested in the events which had been transpir- ing at the East but gave a hearty support to all the measures adopted to secure and defend the liberties of the colonies.

By the opening of the new year it began to be understood that having drawn the sword the issue of the fight must be utter subjugation, or a separate national existence. This feel- ing was so manifest at the Virginia Convention, that, on the 6th of May, 1776, they passed the declaration known as the Bill of Rights, and on the 15th of May, 1776, with suitable preamble, " Resolved unanimously, That the delegates appointed to repre- sent this Colony in the General Congress, be instructed to pro- pose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon the crown or parliament of Great Britain ; and that they give the assent of this Colony to such declara- tion, etc." On the 29th of June, 1776, they formally adopted a constitution, or form of government, which abrogated British rule and established a government of the people for the state of Virginia. The same day Patrick Henry was elected governor of the state.

By these various acts the people were fully committed to the revolution finally inaugurated by the passage of the Declaration of Independence by Congress, which was promulgated formally on the 4th of July, 1776.

FORMATION OF OHIO COUNTY.

In October, 1776, Ohio county was formed by act of the Leg- islature out of a portion of the Distriet of West Augusta, and embraced within its limits all the territory now comprising the Pan-Handle. Its history proper as a county, begins with this chapter.

FORT HENRY AND MILITARY ORGANIZATION.

At this time, also, the name of Fort Fincastle was changed to Fort Henry, in honor of the new governor, and is the name by which it is known to fame, at least in local annals. Before the close of the Revolution, now beginning, its walls were des- tined to become a shelter for the small but gallant band of set- tlers gathered within it, who stood as a bulwark of defence to the frontier.

In view of the exposed situation of the county the justices organized and enrolled the militia, with suitable field and com- pany officers duly confirmed by the governor.

"At this period," says Mr. MeKiernan, "Ohio county was to all intents and purposes a military colony. Every able bodied man was enrolled, and kept in readiness to take the field at a moment's warning. The company rolls furnished the list of tithables for county revenue; and Col. David Shepherd, the commanding officer of the militia, was himself the presiding justice of the county court, and became high sheriff, cr-officio, during the year."

The convention of 1776 directed two companies to be raised in Ohio county as her gnota of "six battalions for the conti- nental army of the United States." Chas, Simms, secretary of the commonwealth of Virginia, in a letter to Col. John McCol- loch, dated November 9, 1776, gives directions about raising these companies, and also to carry into effect the act of Assem- bly requiring " the landholders in the county of Ohio to meet at the house of Ezekiel Dewitt, on the 8th of December next,

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

to vote for a place to hold courts in that county in future. Be- fore you can hold these elections it is necessary you should take the oath of office. The dedimus enclosed empowers Mr. David Shepherd, Mr. David Rogers, and Mr. James McMechen, or any of them, to administer the oath." There is extant portions of a journal kept by a committee appointed to carry out the re- quirements of the Legislature in the matter. It is interesting as giving the names of some of the parties engaged, as follows: "Present-David Shepherd in the chair, Zachariah Sprigg, George McColloch, John McColloch, Saul Teter, David Shep- herd, Wm. McMechen, Benjamin Biggs, sr., John Williamson, sr., James Clements, Joseph Tomlinson, Jacob Leffler, Joseph Ogle, George Cox, David Hosea, Silas Hedges, Isaac Taylor, Jacob Pratt, John Huff, Stephen Parr, George Dement and Saul Glass." The two companies were ordered, and Captain John Lemmon and Captain Silas Zane appointed to the command. It does not appear whether these companies were completely filled and mustered in, or whether they were finally merged into the new organization of the militia.

These military precautions were soon found to be of great value in the protection which a well organized force had for the settlements, now thrown open to the attacks of their old foes under new and competent leaders.

STATUS OF THE INDIAN TRIBES IN THE REVOLUTION.

BEGINNING OF THE

Congress recognized, very early in the revolution, the neces- sity of protecting the frontier of the country against a possible invasion from that direction, in the event of a war with Great Britain, and, as one of the surest measures of safety, sought to conciliate the western tribes, and to secure their sympathy and good will towards the colonies. To this end they appointed Col. George Morgan, agent for Indian affairs of the Middle De- partment, in April 1776, with headquarters at Fort Pitt. He was a man of high character, familiar with Indian manners and habits, and in every way fitted for the position.

Commissioners were also appointed to make treaties with the Indians, to secure their friendship and, if possible, prevent them from forming any alliances with the enemy. Those for the Middle Department were Thomas Walker, John Harvey, John Montgomery, and Joseph Yates. They met at Fort Pitt in July, but could not get an assemblage of the tribes until October. In the meantime through letters and by agents they were in active communication with many of the leading chiefs, seeking to secure their friendly influence and also their atten- .

dance at the council. Finding that Governor Hamilton, of De- troit had secured the powerful tribes of the Ottawas and Potto- watomies, who were also exerting a strong influence on the Shawanese in behalf of the British, the commissioners, early in September, concluding that an Indian war was inevitable, made a call for the militia, and took measures for strengthening the defences. While thus in suspense, William Wilson, who had been sent out in June, by Col. Morgan, to invite the Wyandots to the treaty, returned with a minute report of his mission. During his visit, he was taken by his guides, to a meeting of the Indians with the British Governor Hamilton, at the coun- cil house in Detroit, and concluded from their speeches and Hamilton's course that they were mostly hostile to the Ameri- can cause. "After we left the council house," he says, "the governor came up to me and said he would be glad, if I would inform the people on my return of what I had seen; that all the Indians I saw there at the treaty were of the same way of thinking; and that he would be glad if the people would consider the dreadful consequences of going to war with so ter- rible an enemy, and accept the King's pardon while it could be obtained."

X *

"He then ordered William Tucker, one of his interpreters, with whom I had some acquaintance, to go with me and get provisions for me. On my way I asked Tucker his opinion of the disposition of the Indians at Detroit, and if he thought they would strike soon. He hesitated for some time, but at last told me that without matters took a very decided turn, it was his opinion they would." Wilson then left Detroit for the Wyandot village, in company with some chiefs, and gathered from them, on the way, that they were not all so friendly to Hamilton as he had supposed. When he left the Wyandot village, on his way home, he stopped one night at the house of a friendly Indian. "The next day," he says, "one Isaac Zane*

came to see me. In the course of conversation he told me that in talking with the Half King of the Wyondot's he asked him if the governor (Hamilton) had not delivered him a tomahawk belt. He said he had. That the Big Knife had threatened them for some time past, so that they could not mind their hunting, and that now they would threaten them. I asked him if it was his opinion that the Wyandots would join generally. He said it was almost certain that one-half of them would not.

"The next day Zane and a Wyandot man came to where we were. We conversed a good deal on the subject of the quarrel between Great Britain and the colonies. I asked the chief what the Indians promised themselves by joining the king's troops? I told him that perhaps while the contest continued, they might be furnished with clothes and such like; but when it was over they must return to their former way of living; that if the Americans should be successful, they would be so incensed against the Indians who fought against them, that they would march an army into their country, destroy them, and take their lands from them. He said it was very true. "There," said he, "is mny tomahawk. I will never lift it, nor shall any of my family fight against the Big Knife, if I can help it, unless they come into my own house," etc.

These apprehensions of trouble from the Indians were felt at the Virginia seat of government to be quite serious, and led to the detention of the Seventh Virginia at Williamsburg, in the expectation of having to send it out for the protection of the frontier. This regiment was now commanded by Col. William Crawford, who had been promoted from lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Virginia, to fill the vacancy. He wrote to General Washington regarding the matter, as follows:

"WILLIAMSBURG, September 20th, 1776.

"SIR :- I should have been glad to have the honor of being with you at New York, but I am doubtful we shall be involved in an Indian war to the westward, as the Shawanese and Dela- wares seem in doubt; and from the last accounts from Fort Pitt had not met our people (Dr. Walker and the commissioners) who were sent to treat with them from this government. I should have come to New York with those regiments ordered there,* but the regiment I belong to is ordered to this place. If a war with the westerly Indians happen, I am to go there," etc.

In October a meeting was held with some of the Indian tribes who had been gathered in council at Fort Pitt, but Colonel Morgan was not successful in persuading the Ottawas, Wyan- dots, Chippewas and Mingoes to attend or send deputies to the treaty. They were too closely allied with British interests at Detroit.

Colonel Morgan, however, seems to have considered the meet- ing successful in a general way, and wrote, on the 8th of Nov- ember, to John Hancock, the President of Congress, in the fol- lowing terms :

"SIR :- I have the happiness to inform Congress that the cloud which threatened to break over this part of the country, appears now to be nearly dispersed. The Six Nations, Dela- wares, Munsies, Mohicans and Shawanese who have been assem- bled here to the number of six hundred and forty-four, with their principal chiefs and warriors, have given the strongest assurance of their resolution to preserve inviolate the peace and neutrality they have engaged in with the United States," etc.}

In the same letter Colonel Morgan reports certain murders by the Indians as having occurred along the Ohio border ; "two women were killed at the mouth of Fish creek ; onc man was killed, and four wounded, opposite Hockhocking; and two soldiers were killed, and scalped, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha."

It is not to be wondered at, in view of all the circumstances surrounding the border, and the known efforts made by British officials to incite the hostility of the savages, that occasional murders and forays did occur. Some of these were, doubtless, in reprisal for the wanton killing of solitary Indians by white men, and attacks made upon unoffending hunting parties. Colonel Morgan, who was extremely anxious to preserve peace with the Indian nations, at this critical period, sought to allay all causes of irritation with them and wisely preferred to over- look the occasional outrages that were brought to his notice, rather than avenge them by sending expeditions to destroy their towns, and so stir up the savage hordes along the whole border. In some instances he thought the border inhabitants

*Isaac Zane was the youngest brother of Col. Ebenezer Zane, and was captured at Moore- field, Va , by the Indians when a lad only 9 years old. He frequently gave timely notice to the whites of contemplated raids and was largely influential in preventing the barbarous treatment of prisoners by his tribe.

*The regiments ordered to New York were the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Virginia. The Seventh remained at Williamsburg, in command of Colonel Crawford, +Washington-Crawford letters.

#Hildreth's Pioneer History.

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

itants were the aggressors, and says, in his letter to President Hancock, respecting this hostility of the whites :

" Parties have even been assembled to massacre our known friends at their hunting camps, as well as messengers on busi- ness to me ; and I have esteemed it necessary to let the mes- sengers sleep in my own chamber for their security.

" It is truly distressing to submit to the injuries we have, and are, frequently receiving along the frontier and outposts, from the Mingo banditti and their associates ; but it must be extremely injurious to the interests of the United States, at this critical time, to involve ourselves in a general Indian war, which, I believe, may be still warded off by pursuing the wise measures intended by Congress," etc .*

INDIAN MURDERS AND RAIDS ON THE BORDER.

Previous to the October meeting at Fort Pitt, information was received from the friendly Delawares at Coochocking, on the Muskingum, that a party of Wyandots, Mingoes, and Otta- was, had passed the "Standing Stone," now Lancaster, Ohio, on the 20th of September, on their way down the Hockhocking, to make a raid on the Virginia frontier. Warning was promptly sent to the inhabitants along the border, and the savages, dis- appointed in effecting a surprise, returned without accomplish- ing their purpose. Frequent marauding and predatory incur- sions of small bands and parties of Indians followed. Concern- ing one of these bands, composed of individual members of different tribes of the Six Nations, Col. Morgan wrote to the agent for Indian affairs in the Northern Department, with a view of effecting their removal. He says: "The peace of this country has been greatly disturbed for many months past, by a banditti of the Six Nations, of every tribe, but principally of the Senecas of Allegheny. They consist of sixty families at most, but have gained some adherents by intermarriages with the Wyandots, Delawares and Shawanees, and by assuming the air and authority of the Six Nations' Council. Their whole number does not exceed eighty men, and even they are divided in sentiments. Yet they have, by sending out one or two small parties every month or six weeks, kept the frontiers of Virginia in a perpetual alarm, and occasioned an immense ex- pense in garrisoning a number of posts. Were these people situated by themselves, they might easily be chastised; but they are seated in the midst of several nations whose friend- ship it is our interest to cultivate, and avoid every possible risk of injuring in any respect. Several attempts have been made to induce the Senecas to remove these relations of theirs, but to no effect. Sir Wm. Johnson and his agents made sev- cral efforts, in his time, for that purpose; but without avail. They have many years practised horse-stealing and robbery, on every occasion which offered itself. Yet I apprehend, if a seri- ous deputation of six or eight principal men of the Six Na- tions' Council, could be sent to them, and to insist on their removal, it might be accomplished," etc .; This application appears to have been unsuccessful.

During the fall other outrages occurred, and were reported to Col. Morgan. A letter from Col. Dorsey Pentecost, dated Catfish Camp, Tuesday, November 19, 1776, says: "On Monday morn- ing last within four hundred yards of the garrison at Grave creek, was killed and scalped the eldest son of Adam Rowe, and the younger brother who was with him, is missing."#

In December, two men, who were out as spies, were overtaken by the savages, on the Indian side of the Ohio, opposite to the fort at Wheeling. One was killed and the other captured. This occurrence was near the present town of Bridgeport, Ohio.

The balance of the winter there was comparative quiet. Preparations were made, however, both in strengthening the defences and purchasing supplies, which looked to an active campaign in the spring, if an expedition into the Indian country should be deemed advisable. One hundred men were stationed at Fort Pitt under the command of Maj. Nevill, and Fort Randolph, at Kanawha, had one hundred and sixty men under command of Capt. Arbuckle. In December, Col. Morgan purchased, from two Detroit traders, five thousand dollars' worth of clothes, blankets, powder, lead, &c., for the use of the United States, and proposed to lay in a large stock of provis- ions, for the troops who were expected to take part in the cx- pedition contemplated.

News arrived, about this time, of an attack made by the In- dians near the Blue Lick, in Kentucky, on a party, under Col.

John Todd, sent to procure five hundred pounds of powder which had been forwarded them by the State of Virginia, and secreted near Limestone, now Maysville, Ky. Only one of the settlers was killed, and the powder was subsequently taken safely to Harrodsburg.

These repeated hostilities were supposed to have been perpe- trated by a band of Mingoes, and some others associated with them, who are generally mentioned in contemporary writings as "outlaws," and "banditti." They were commanded by a chief named Pluggy, and had their village at the head of the Scioto, near the present town of Delaware, Ohio.

Their audacities finally led the Governor of Virginia, Pat- rick Henry, and the Council at Williamsburg, on the 12th of March, to order an expedition, consisting of three hundred men, under the command of Col. David Shepherd, and Major Henry Taylor, to be raised in the "counties of Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio," to penetrate the country and inflict summary punishment upon the Indians at Pluggystown. The order of Council and the letter of Governor Henry giving in- structions regarding the expedition are here inserted.

CONTEMPLATED EXPEDITION AGAINST PLUGGY'S TOWN-GOVERNOR HENRY'S LETTER, AND MINUTES OF COUNCIL.

WILLIAMSBURGH, March 12th, 1777.

To Col. George Morgan and Col. John Nevill, Fort Pitt :

GENTLEMEN : You will perceive by the papers which accom- pany this that the Indians at Pluggy's Town are to be punished in an exemplary manner. When you apply to the Shawanese and Delawares on the subject, it may not be amiss to observe to them that these villainous Indians, by their frequent mis- chiefs, may breed suspicions against innocent friends and allies, for it is often difficult to tell what nation are the offenders.

Willing to cultivate that good understanding that subsists between Virginia and their nations, the Shawanese and Dela- wares cannot take umbrage at the march against Pluggy's people, more especially as the latter march through the country of the former when they attack us.

You will readily understand the delicacy of the business in opening this matter to the chiefs. Many, if trusted, may not keep it secret.

If the enemy have warning the expedition will produce but little good compared to what may be expected if they are attacked by surprise.

You will please communicate to the allies of this State the strict orders given to the officers and soldiers not to molest or offend any but the enemy of Pluggy's Town, and that orders are given to spare the women and children and such of the men as submit.

I take the liberty to remind you that the success of the en- terprise depends upon the address and propriety which will, I hope, distinguish your conduct in communicating this affair to the Shawanese and Delawares.

I trust, gentlemen, that you will leave nothing in your power undone that may tend to give success to a measure so necessary for the well being of your country; and that you will not con- fine yourselves to the strict line of duty with respect to what falls into the business of each officer respectively, but act on the most liberal plan for promoting the enterprise.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient ser- P. HENRY, JR .* vant, [Signed]

P. S .- You will communicate everything necessary to the officer who is to command in chief.

IN COUNCIL, Williamsburgh, March 12th, 1777.

This Board having from time to time received undoubted in- telligence of reported hostilities committed on the subjects of this Commonwealth by the Indians of Pluggy's Town, and not- withstanding the just remonstrances made to them on the sub- jeet by our agents for Indian Affairs, they have not been brought to a sense of duty, but from their repeated injuries there is the greatest reason to expect more, and insolence instead of the good neighborhood we wish to cultivate with all the Indian tribes. And whereas the obstinate and wicked disposition of the Indians of Pluggy's Town have been represented to Con- gress, and they seem to have no prospects of conciliation, but have referred to this Board the propriety of making war on them if it can be done without exciting jealousy and discord with the other neighboring nations,

*Pennsylvania Archives, vol. 5, p. 260.

"llildreth's Pioneer History. [Hildreth's Pioneer IHstory, p. 115. 13-P. H.

#lbid, p. 111.

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

Resolved, That George Morgan, Esq., Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Col. John Nevill (or in his absence Robert Camp- bell, Esq.,) do confer with such chief or chiefs of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians as may be relied on for secrecy and fidelity, and represent to them the necessity of chastising the said Indians, and in case the said gentlemen shall find that the said Shawanese and Delawares do not give reason to apprehend discord with them by reason of such a proceeding,

Resolved, That 300 militia men, commanded by a colonel, major, six captains, six lieutenants and six ensigns, and a proper number of non-commissioned officers, be ordered to make an expedition to said Pluggy's Town in order to punish that people for their unprovoked cruelties committed on the inhab- itants of Virginia.

That the officers commanding this expedition have it in charge at their peril, and that all those concerned, that no in- jury, provocation or ill treatment of any kind be done or suffered to the Delaware and Shawanese Indians through whose country they pass. But, on the other hand, that the said officers be strictly charged and commanded to conduct themselves to- wards them as our faithful friends and brethren. Government being determined to revenge the least injury done them.

That the officers commanding this expedition apply to George Morgan, Esq., for ammunition, provisions and stores necessary for the party, who is requested to give any assistance in his power to forward the undertaking.

That the commanding officer ought to be directed to show mercy to the women and children and to such of the men as surrender themselves, and to send all prisoners taken by his party belonging to said Pluggy's Town to this city; and as the success of this expedition will depend upon the dispatch with which it is conducted,

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 35

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728